Dhaka ranks second in the list of polluted cities

The capital city Dhaka tops the list of polluted cities in the world with 'unhealthy' quality of air. The Air Quality Index (AQI) report of a Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization provides this information.

The air quality in Dhaka was 200, according to Air Quality Index (AQI) around 8 in the morning on Tuesday. This level is called 'unhealthy'.

Delhi, the capital of India, comes in second on the same list with a score of 259. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, comes in third with a score of 174. The Pakistani city Lahore which received a score of 173, is ranked fourth. Vietnam's Hanoi is in fifth place with a score of 168.

Generally, AQI is determined based on five types of pollution; For example, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone (O3). An AQI score between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', between 201 and 300 'very unhealthy' and a score between 301 and 400 is considered 'risky'.

According to a report by the Department of Environment and the World Bank in March 2019, the reason for air pollution in Dhaka is due to brick kilns, vehicle fumes, and dust from construction sites. Air pollution increases the risk of shortness of breath, cough, lower respiratory tract infections, and even depression.

The United Nations estimates that 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air, and that air pollution contributes to an estimated 7 million premature deaths annually, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.